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This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our new mini-series entitled, “Growing in Grace.” A couple of weeks ago we started walking our way through 5-9 of Peter’s second letter. The Apostle Peter wrote, “So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books” (2 Peter 1:5-9 MSG). Today we will focus on the following statement, “With these qualities active and growing in your lives…no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God never designed the Bible to be a textbook. The Bible is not a textbook that we merely study, it is designed to be a life-book that we are supposed to LIVE every day. The Bible says, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). The purpose of getting the Word of God in your mouth and your mind is so that it can direct your ACTIONS. You must observe to DO what it says.
2. Your learning must turn into living. God expects you to turn the corner from information to application. James said, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourself” (James 1:22). He went on to say, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?” (James 2:14). God urges you to DO what He says, because He wants you to experience Him and not just read about Him.
3. Jesus expected His followers to apply and experience His teachings. Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). What good is it to hear the Word of God if you are not going to DO what it says? Another time Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them… Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:21 & 23). Jesus promised that both He and the Father would come and abide (make their home) with those who are committed to DOING what the Bible teaches. God wants to spend time with you so you can experience Him and He can experience you, but He won’t waste His time on those who are only listening for the sake of listening.
4. Going from the classroom to “Hands-on” activities helps seal the lesson in your heart. By Luke chapter 10 Jesus had a great following. These people had been listening to Jesus’ teachings over and over again. Jesus was ready to take them to the next level. He selected 72 from the crowd and sent them out in pairs to actually DO what He had been teaching. The Bible says that when the 72 disciples returned they joyfully reported to Jesus and said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” (Luke 10:17). These disciples were never the same, because they actually got to DO what they had been learning. My question to you is: how long have you been studying your Bible? Chances are that it has been years. So, have you been DOING what it says, or are you just studying for the sake of studying? Once you DO what it says and you experience the power of God, you will never be the same.
Closing Confession: Father, thank You reminding me how important it is to actually DO what I have been learning. The Bible is not merely a textbook for me to study, it is my life-book to live. By faith I declare that I put Your Word into practice every day of my life. I read Your Word with an open heart, ready to hear Your voice. I read what You said with an expectation to hear what You are saying. I attend church services and Bible studies with open ears, ready to hear the voice behind the voice. I love Your Word and I meditate it day and night. But the purpose of my meditation is not just for meditation’s sake. No! I am committed to DOING what I learn. My learning shall turn into living. I turn the corner from information to application. I leave the classroom ready for “Hands-On” experiences every day of my life. So Father, here I am. I give myself over to You, to be used of You for Your glory. I will be Your legs to walk, Your mouth to talk and Your hands to touch TODAY. I experience You daily and my experiences help seal the lessons of the Bible in my heart. I am a DOER of the Word of God and I am blessed in my doing. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
